How Tourism Counters Terror Narratives in Kashmir

PAHALGAM TOURIST KILLINGS AVENGED: KASHMIR RISES AGAINST TERROR, INDIA STRIKES BACK AT TERROR CAMPS IN PAKISTAN

- ZAHOOR AHMAD

The scent of pine forests, the gentle gurgle of the Lidder River, and the snow-kissed peaks of Pahalgam have, for decades, captured the imagination of travelers and filmmakers alike.

But beneath this ethereal beauty lies a more profound story — one where tourism and the economic revival of Kashmir stand tall against the grim shadows of terror. In the heart of South Kashmir, Pahalgam has emerged as a living testament to how the human spirit, commerce, and community resilience can combat extremist narratives that once sought to hijack the region's identity.

The killing of innocent tourists, especially in areas previously untouched by direct violence, jolts the conscience of every Kashmiri. These brutal acts, carried out by fringe elements guided by cross-border agendas, aim not only to spill blood but to create fear, disrupt communal harmony, and project Kashmir as a hostile land. But the reaction from the people of Kashmir — particularly in places like Pahalgam, Anantnag, and the greater Pir Panjal belt — has not just been of grief.

It has been a loud and collective condemnation, marked by candle marches, solidarity prayers, social media campaigns, and an overwhelming show of empathy for the victims.

In May last year, when terrorists targeted a group of pilgrims in South Kashmir, local residents rushed to help, offering water, carrying the wounded, and confronting the attackers where possible. Similarly, in Pahalgam, locals formed human chains around guesthouses and hotels, reassuring visitors of their safety. These were not isolated incidents of kindness; they were reflective of a larger awakening that the people of Kashmir, weary of being pawns in a geopolitical conflict, are reclaiming their narrative.